Ed O'Bannon case strikes a defensive blow; more Designated Reads

• "Plaintiffs in the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit claimed what their lawyer described as a significant victory today when a California federal judge denied the NCAA's early attempt to prevent the case from becoming a class action." This is not so much a victory in and of itself as it is one more sudden-death pitfall avoided. Think of this kind of action as playing Super Mario Bros. 2 as Toad, with no mushrooms in sight and only one extra life remaining. That's where this case is at, in fancy legal terms.

• "And it’s highly questionable whether other college presidents would allow such a settlement when no other schools were afforded the same opportunity for a case involving recruiting violations." Think the NCAA-ward howling from Miami and USC is bad now? Imagine the cacophony of victory and rage if the 'Canes were able to cut a deal.

• "According to the report, when the officer asked the men for their tickets, Carey said, 'Get the (expletive) out of my face! Don't you know who I am? I am an All-American.'" Always wonder what the endgame is here, in the heads of anyone who tries this kind of thing. "My sincerest apologies, sir. Your NCAA rushing prowess affords you lordship over campus police. Carry on."